DEVELOPING SUCCESSFUL COLLABORATION WITH THE URBAN HORTICULTURE INDUSTRY - THE GEORGIA, USA EXPERIENCE

The UGA Center for Urban Agriculture is a unit within the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) at the University of Georgia. The Center was formed to improve information transfer among college faculty and growing urban agriculture industries in Georgia. Though urban agriculture had significant economic clout (employing approximately 80,000 workers and generating approximately $8.1 billion in revenue in 2005) it had relatively little impact on the relevant governmental and regulatory issues. Center faculty fostered the creation of the Georgia Urban Agriculture Council (UAC), helping to create a single, effective voice for the diverse segments of urban agriculture. The Center supports urban agriculture by developing training programs for the industry and focusing UGA resources on industry needs. Educational tools include a web site, www.gaurbanag.org, the Georgia Certified Landscape Professional program, email alerts, on-line videos and surveys, and periodic Center Reports.